At employer’s request injured worker must submit to medical exam at any time after work injury

The workers’ compensation act provides that an employer may request its employee to submit to a physical examination by an appropriate healthcare provider or other expert at some reasonable time and place at any time after an injury to the employee. The examiner is selected by the employer, or WCJ, and paid for by the employer. Refusal to do so with an order to do so, without reasonable excuse or cause, shall deprive the employee of the right to compensation during the continuance of the employee’s refusal.

Employers are entitled to these examination twice a year, and employees are not entitled to have their attorneys present for the examination. However, they may select a medical professional, including nurses, to accompany them in the exam.